In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the AMX name stood for performance within American Motors. But by the late 1970s, it was about image and not much else. The 1977 AMC AMX was based on the Hornet compact, with an inline-six under the hood in many cases. That’s how the seller’s field find was built, and there’s not a lot of hope left for it now (it’s been on the market for months and still hasn’t moved). Located in Ronan, Montana, this AMC oddity is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $1,200 (thanks for the tip, “Lee”).
The Hornet AMX was another of the 1970s “transformation” cars that came out former Pontiac executive Jim Wangers’ shop at Motortown Corp. Motortown took production cars and turned them into muscle cars (or quasi-muscle cars) that the auto manufacturers didn’t have the capacity (or interest) in doing themselves. Other Wanger outputs of that era included the Ford Mustang Cobra II, Plymouth Volare Road Runner, Dodge Aspen R/T, Pontiac Can-Am, and the AMC Hornet AMX.
AMC missed the boat by not making any real power available to the briefly reincarnated AMX. A 258 I-6 or 304 V8 were the only choices given to Wangers’ bunch, though a 4-speed manual transmission did sweeten the pot. Their “magic” consisted of a $799 option package on a Hornet hatchback coupe that brought body-colored fender flares, a chin spoiler, and other distinctive styling cues. Though the drivetrains were purely off-the-shelf, Motortown was able to beef up the chassis and suspension.
Finished in what was once probably Alpine White paint, the seller’s car looks to have been sitting outside for ages and has been liberated from some of its parts and pieces. It may have been just one of a few hundred built or a few thousand, as production records disagree. Given that fewer than 12,000 Hornet hatchbacks were built overall in 1977, maybe only 300-400 AMXs really did see the light of day. and 2/3 came with the 258 I-6 like this forgotten artifact. The Hornet soon became the Concord, and the AMX project quietly faded away.
This non-running car will require a lot of resources to become viable again. But rare doesn’t always add up to valuable, and you could quickly find yourself upside down rebuilding this one. Perhaps this car can better serve as a donor for another 1977 Hornet AMX – if you can find one.
“…it’s been on the market for months and still hasn’t moved”. Literally, in all respects.
Would make for a good resto mod project or race car or parts. Not sure about $1200, maybe it’s a fair price but I remember when $500 would get you a decent winter beater.
Buy-O-Hazard.
That is not Even a worthwhile parts car.
This one has been stripped and left for dead a long long time ago.
Why bother listing it now. There isn’t enough interest / value in these.
I would give him scrap value .Then I would remove as many things as possible that make it an AMX. Louvers any dash or interior parts, possibly whole doghouse, and rear wheel arches.I know of a Hornet hatchback local that is good enough to work with and make it AMX, and be sure I got the vin tag off this one.Then have it crushed,
That’s my Dad’s shootin’ car – 3 more payments and we own it!
Looks like it’s been sitting in the wrecking yard since the 80s. To be honest if it was sitting in my field I would have scrapped it a long time ago but in this case and the Internet being what it’s done to car values why not throw it out there and see what sticks. I almost think it would be fun to buy it and drag it up to Alaska for the 4th of July event where they send them off the cliff
Instead of buying this AMX? Pile your $1200 in your fire pit, douse it with 151 rum, pour yourself a double, and flick a match.
I thought about buying one of these in the mid-80s from a dealer friend at a decent price, around $300. The first problem was that the driver’s door wouldn’t stay shut. Second came the drive. At least it had a 304, but it might as well have been the 6-cylinder. I didn’t buy it. Instead, I spent my $300 on a 73 Torino Gran Sport, 4-speed, 351 CJ. Now there was some power!
At least the keys are in it!
I’m not lichen this one!
Got mold? All this shows, is how out of whack some folks are, to even think anyone would want such a thing. It wasn’t popular in 1977. Innernet[sic] hype at its grandest. Oh AMX, you were once so proud, look what they reduced you to,,
Poor baby!
Looks like it was attacked by hornets.
Stick a fork in it, it’s done! Oh how the mighty have fallen.